Maria Chiara Dalconi
RESEARCH AREAS
Cement is the most used industrial material, considering the enormous volumes produced and consumed yearly worldwide. It is generally considered a simple and cheap material; actually, it is a highly engineered material that has been optimised since the beginning of the 20th century. Cement is still the subject of extensive research and its technological content is increasing. The challenge of the present day is to make cement more sustainable, reducing the environmental impact related to its production. Academic research can make a valuable contribution to achieving these goals. My research activity is focussed on understanding the process involved in cement hydration, how cement composition impacts final mechanical properties, on elucidating the elusive structural details of C-S-H (the main product in hardened cement paste), and on how we can safely use industrial byproducts (waste) as cementitious materials and reduce the consumption of natural raw materials. A research activity that is feasible only thanks to collaboration with colleagues of the Geoscience Department, IGGC-CNR researchers and in cooperation with industrial partner Mapei SpA and an OPIGEO spin-off.
